English: Greater White-fronted Goose.
Russian: Белолобый гусь
German: Blassgans
French: Oie rieuse
Mongolian: Манхин галуу
Japanese: マガン (Ma-gan)

Body length: 64-78 cm
Wing span: 130-160 cm

Status: Rare species. According to the IUCN Red List Categories and criteria, the species evaluated as - Near Threatened.

Habitat: Breeds on tundra in far northeast, migrating to winter in W,C and SE Europe; birds breeding in Greenland winter largely in Ireland and SW Scotland. This species is fully migratory, travelling in stages via several stop-over sites between separate breeding and wintering grounds. The species breeds in open, low-lying, shrubby tundra on the coast and inland in close proximity to marshes, lakes, pools, rivers, and willow-and shrub-lined ponds and streams. It requires dry slopes, banks, mounds, hummocks or patches of sand or clay for nesting sites, especially those commanding good views of the surrounding area.

Distribution and range In Mongolia: This species of bird found along the Selenge, Eg, Kharaa, Yeroo, and Buur, and in valleys of rivers Tuul, Onon Balj and Kherlen.

Population and Threats: Population not assessed. Widely distributed in Eurasia, but in Mongolia seen in migration passage in flocks with other geese. Global population estimated at 2-3 million individuals.

Conservation Measures: Included as Rare animal in the Annex to the Mongolian Government Resolution #7 (2012). Migration stop over, resting areas are partially included within the NSPAN.

Further Actions: Assess and survey its population abundance, distribution, improve the conservation management in the NSPAN.

Identification: Medium sized, rather short-necked and compact. Legs orange-red. Adult has prominent white blaze surrounding base of bill and black transverse markings on belly, confusable only with Lesser White-fronted Goose, but is larger; lacks prominent yellow orbital ring (indistinct, narrow ring on some only); has heavier bill; white blaze does not normally extend to forecrown, is fairly straight in side view (blaze reaches forecrown on Lesser White-fronted, and outline is angled in side view). Ssp. flavirostris is slightly larger, longer-necked and heavier-billed, darker-plumaged (notably breast), with bill orange-yellow (pink restricted to trip), not reddish-pink with just a little yellow at base.

• Juvenile: Lacks white blaze and dark belly markings, bill dull pinkish with dark nail. Confusable at distance with Bean Goose, but told by darker grey feathering around base of bill and on forehead, giving contrast to paler cheek; also, pale feather edges on upperparts less prominent, and base of lower mandible not solidly black as on Bean Goose.